Spraying apparatus



Jan. 22, 1963 V n. E. ATKINSON 3,074,649

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed Marc-h 25, 1961 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOA DUANE E. ATK/NSON A T TO/PNE VS Jan. 22, 1963 D. E. ATKlNsoN SPRAYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1961 INVENTOR. DUANE E. TK/NSON A TTO/PNEVS D. E. ATKINSON 3,074,649

SPRAYING APPARATUS Jan. 22, 1963 Filed March 25, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HW @UAA/E gwn/MLM l from/grs Jan. 22, 1963 D. E. ATKINSON 3,074,649

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed March 23. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. DUA/VE E. ATK/NSON Jan. 22, 1963 D. E. ATKINSON 3,074,649

SPRAYING APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F/6 7 INVnvToR DUANE E. ATK/NSO/.V

A T TORNEVS United States Patent O1 amas@ SPRAYING APPARATUS Duane E. Atkinson, 102 Fey Drive, Burlingame, Calif. Filed Mar. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 97,943 8 Claims. (Ill. 239165) This invention relates to spraying apparatus and the like and more particularly to a device adapted to be mounted at the outer end of a swinging boom and aimed from a remote control station.

The apparatus of this invention may have many uses including that of washing the insulators on which power transmission lines are suspended from utility poles or towers. Under many conditions such insulators collect dust, water vapor, and the like which, over a period of time, decreases their insulating capacity and may cause short circuiting or grounding of the power transmission line. It is therefore common practice, especially in regions where natural rainfall is infrequent, to periodically wash such insulators with a nonconducting fluid, such as relatively pure water.

Heretofore such washing has been accomplished by supporting an operator with a tire hose at the outer end of a vehicle mounted swingable and extendable boom. Such prior apparatus has been unduly cumbersome in that it has required suiicient strength in the boom to support the operator as Well as his spray equipment at an elevated position above the vehicle. In addition, the use of such apparatus also requires the employment of a vehicle operator for controlling the position of the swingable boom and moving the vehicle between the utility poles along the power transmission line.

Since the insulators to be washed may be suspended at various heights above the ground and at different locations with respect to the utility poles, the range of movement of the swingable boom carrying the operator and his spraying equipment must be considerable. The problems inherent in supporting the operator and his spraying equipment for movement over such a range of elevated positions have been further complicated by the fact that the apparatus for this use must be able to withstand being transported over relatively rugged terrain.

Although the apparatus of this invention is herein s pecitically described for use in Washing power transmission line insulators, many other uses, such as agricultural spraying, iire fighting, mounting of optical devices, fruit picking, and the like are contemplated.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for automatically maintaining a predetermined attitude of a platform carrying a device adapted to be aimed with respect thereto.

It is another object of this invention to provide apparatus in which a device supported at the outer end of a movable boom may be aimed from a remote control station with reference to a predetermined, normal attitude.

Another object of this invention is the provision of spraying apparatus in which a nozzle, supported at the outer end of a swingable boom, may be directed by van operator from a remote ground station.

It is still another object of this invention to provide, in combination with a vehicle supported swinging boom, spraying apparatus at the outer end of the boom which may be conveniently remotely controlled from the vehicle.

A further object of this invention is the provision of means for supporting a spray nozzle for remotely controlled movement in elevation and azimuth with respect to an automatically maintained reference attitude.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective and partly schematic view on a "ice relatively small scale of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2v is an enlarged front elevational view of the spraying apparatus support structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3y is a greatly enlarged sectional view as seen generally from line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as seen from line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a semischematic view of the control means for remotely aiming the spraying apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan View of the mounting structure for the control lever of the control means of FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the mounting structure of FIG. 7.

In general, referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus of this invention comprises a spraying nozzle or other device 1 mounted on a platform 2 supported at the outer end of a boom 3 carried by a ground supported vehicle 4. Vehicle 4 may be of the conventional type, providing a drivers and operators cab 5 and having a conventional boom supporting structure 6. Said structure 6 mounts boom 3 for rotation about a generally vertical axis and for swinging to various positions extending upwardly of the vehicle about a generally horizontal axis. Boom carrying vehicles of this type are commonly used for servicing and maintaining utility power installations and the like.

To provide the boom 3 with a substantial range of movement with respect to the vehicle, said boom is preferably of the extendable type in which a plurality of elongated boom sections 7 are mounted for sliding with respect to each other toward and away from the boom supporting structure 6. Suitable cable or hydraulic operating means, such as hydraulic cylinder 8 (FIG. 1) are provided for rotating, elevating, and extending boom 3 and commonly include control means (not shown) accessible to the operator for controlling these functions of the boom. In this respect, boom 3 functions to change the elevation and attitude of platform 2 throughout the range of movement of the boom.

r Ihe vehicle 4 may also carry one or more tanks 9 as a source of water or other fluid to be sprayed from nozzle 1. A pump 10 serves to supply uid under pressure through a conduit 11 extending to the outer end of boom 3. When used with an extendable boom, conduit 11 is preferably a liexible hose supported on conventional reel or pulley take-up means (not shown) for taking up the slack in the hose during retraction of the boom. v

The platform, generally designated 2 (FIG. 2), supporting the device 1 which is adapted to be aimed or directed, comprises a pair of decks, an azimuth deck 14 and an elevation deck 15, connected for supporting nozzle 1 for rotation about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes. A yoke 16, secured to the outer end of boom 3, supports platform 2 by means of a U-shaped Suspension member 17 to the central portion of which azimuth deck 14 is secured.

Azimuth an-d elevation decks 14, 15 are substantially similar in construction and each comprises a housing `2,0 (FIGS. 2 4), the bottom wall of which carries externally thereof a right angle pipe `fitting 21 (FIGS. 2, 4), s ecured thereto by ange bolts 22. Internally of housing 29, ,the outer lsleeve element 23 of a rotatable pipe connection, generally designated 24 (FIG. 4), has its flan-ge secured to the bottom wall of housing 20 so as to communicate through an opening 26 in said bottom wal-l with pipe -fitting 21. The inner end portion of an V.inner sleeve element 27 of rotatable connection 24 is received in outer element 23 with the outer end extending outwardly thereof into housing 20. Element 27 is provided with peripheral races carrying ball bearings 28 supporting it for rotation within outer element 23. A threaded aora-,eas

cap 29 `closing a radial opening in outer sleeve element 23 provides access to the races for ball bearings 28.

A packing ring 30 of flexible sealing material, such as nylon or Teflon, is clamped between the ange of sleeve element 23 and the bottom wall of housing 20 with a lip portion thereof projecting radially inwardly `across the inner end of inner sleeve 27. It will be noted in FIG. 4 that a portion of opening 26 is larger than the internal bore o-f inner sleeve Z7 to accommodate `a pressure ring 31 yand its backing springs 32 which serve to press the lip portion of packing ring 30 against the surface of the inner end of element 27 for ,sealing rotatable connection 24. An -ring dust seal 33 may also be provided adjacent the outer end of sleeve 23.

The outer end of inner sleeve element 27 is jou-rnalled in a bearing 34 carried by the top cover 35 of housing 2t), 'and .is connected to a tubular element 36, having a iiange 37 at the outer end thereof, for rotation therewith. Such connection may be by means of an externally threaded hollow element 38 received within and engaged with internal threads formed in elements 27, 36.

By the structure thus far described, means is provided supporting elements 36 for rotation with respect to their associa-ted decks 14 and 15. Element 36 of deck 14 is secured to a right angle pipe fitting 41 (FIG. 2) which communicates with and is connected to right angle litting 21 of elevation deck 15 by a pair of pipe nipples 42, 43 and an intervening pipe elbow 44. By this means elevation deck is supported in a position normal to azimuth deck 1d and for rotation about a first axis coinciding with the axis of rotatable connection 24 and the element 36 of said lazimuth deck.

A right angle pipe connection 45 (similar to connection 41) is secured to the element 36 of elevation deck 15 and carries nozzle 1 projecting therefrom in a direction normal to a second axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of connection 24 and element 36 of said elevation deck. In this manner nozzle 1 is supported for swinging about said second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis of azimuth `deck 14.

Platform 2, comprising azimuth deck 14 and elevation deck 15, therefore supports nozzle 1 for rotation about said iii-st and second axes so that said nozzle may be aimed in both azimuth and elevation orientation. Driving means -for so aiming nozzle 1 are provided in each of decks 14, 15 by a motor 46 (FIG. 3) which has its shaft connected to a worm 47. Said worm is meshed with a gear 48 (FIGS. 3, 4) carried by a ring 49 xed on inner sleeve element 27, as by `a set screw 50. The motor 46 carried by azimuth deck 14 thereby serves to rotate fitting 41 and elevation deck 15 carried thereby about the first or lazimuth axis, and the motor of elevation deck 15 serves -to rota-te fitting 45 `and nozzle 1 about the =second or elevation axis.

In some instances it is desirable to limit the rotation of the nozzle about these axes and each deck may therefore carry limit switches 39 (FIGS. 3, 4) connected in the electrical circuit to motor 46. Ring 49 is provided with one or more notches 4o (FIG. 4) for receiving the actuating yarm roller of switches 39 for yopening the switches and thereby interrupting the circuit to motor 46 at the extremities of the range of rotation selected for nozzle 1 -about either -the azimuth or elevation axis.

Control of such rotation of nozzle 1 'about these mutually perpendicular axes for directing or aiming the nozzle stream is provided by control means (schematically illustrated in FIG. 6) which may be in the form of a conventional closed loop positional servo system. Such unit includes a control or command unit 52, conveniently located at :a control station in the cab 5 (FIG. 1), and having a manual control lever 53, manipulation of which causes motors 46 to drive nozzle 1 through its azimuth and elevation arcs.

conventionally, similar closed loop control systems are provided for each of the decks so that m-anipulation of a control lever in one direction controls the movement of one deck and manipulation of the lever in another direction, or of a separate lever, controls the other deck. Each system is characterized by a signaling device which, when operated iby its control lever, generates a command signal fed into la comparing means 54 (FIG. 6). Comparing means 54 performs the function of comparing Athe command signal with a position signal fed thereto from a position sensing device 55.

As is common practice in control systems of this type, the position sensing device disclosed herein may be a potentiometer whose wiper arm or picko is connected by meshed gears 51, 56 (FIG. 3) to the shaft carrying worm 47. The angular position of nozzle 1 about either the azimuth or elevation axes is directly related to the angular position of the corresponding worm shaft which is transmitted through gears 51, 56 to potentiometer 55 so that said potentiometer generates a `follow-up or position signal indicative of said position.

From la comparison of the command signal and the position or follow-up signal, comparing means 54 generates an error signal which may `be amplified by an amplifier 57 4and thereafter fed into motor 46 for actuating the same. So long as there is a difference between the actual position of nozzle l about its `axes of rotation and the position directed by the command signa-ls from controlling unit 52, motors sin will drive said nozzle to eliminate such difference.

In a control system of this type where the movement of 4the nozzle is proportional to the movement of the control lever 53, it is preferable to mount the control lever so that it may be manipulated forwardly and rearwardly to control, yfor example, elevation fand from side to side to control the azimuth position of the nozzle. An operator, even if previously unskilled, may most readily acquaint yhimself with the proper lever manipulation to yield the desired nozzle control when Ithe control lever is mounted in this manner. Especially in the specific illustration herein described where the nozzle is supported at the end of the boom generally forwardly of the vehicle (FIG. l), it is preferable that manipulation of the control lever forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle controls the nozzle elevation and movement of the lever from side -to side controls the azimuth position of the nozzle.

A mounting structure for control lever 53 that satisfies the above purposes is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Control unit 52 includes a pair of signaling devices 5S, 59 which generate the command signals fed into comparing means 54. Devices 58, 59 may be potentiometers similar to position sensing devices 55, and connected in a manner such that the motor 46 on elevation deck l5 is responsive to one of said signaling devices 58 and the motor on azimuth deck 14 is responsive to the signal from the other deviceV 59.

Control lever 53 projects upwardly from the control unit 52 (FIGS. 1, 6, 8) and is secured at its lower end to a shaft 66* (FIGS. 7, 8) journalled in the side plates 61, 62 of a mounting bracket, generally designated 63. Lever 53 is therefore supported for swinging in a plane generally parallel to side plates 61, 62 of bracket 63 which also carries potentiometer 58 with its operating shaft 64 journalled in said plates. A gear segment 65 secured on shaft 6l) is in mesh with a gear 66 secured on shaft 64 thereby connecting potentiometer 58 for operating by swinging lever 53 in the plane of bracket 63.

Mounting bracket 63, including lever 53 and operatively connected potentioeter 58, is supported by a pair of stub shafts 67 projecting outwardly from opposed end plates 63 and journalled in bearings 69 for swinging in a second plane perpendicular to the rst plane in which lever 53 swings. The base 70 on which bearings 69 are supported also carries a support 71 (FIG. 8) mounting potentiometer 59 with its wiper operating shaft 72 journalled forrotation about an axisat right' angles to the axis of shaft- 64 of potentiometer 58. A gear 73 on shaft 72 meshed with a gear segment 74 secured to shaft Y67 serves to operatively connect mounting bracket 63 and therefore lever 53 with potentiometer 59.

In this manner, swinging lever 53 in the vfirst plane of mounting bracket 63, denoted by dot-dash line 75 in FIG.v 7, operates signaling `device 58, 4and swinging said lever and mounting bracket 63 in the second, normal plane, denoted by dot-dash line 76, operates signaling device 59. Each of said signaling devices as previously described, is connected to one of the comparing meansa'mplier units 54-57 of FIG. 6 so as to direct the change of position of nozzle 1 in azimuth through deck 14 and elevation through deck 15.

Assuming signaling device 58 is connected to control elevation `deck 15 and signaling device 59 to azimuth deck 14, control unit 5'2 is preferably oriented with plane 7 5 extending longitudinally of vehicle 4 (FIG. l) and plane 76 extending transversely thereof. With this relationship established it is an easy matter for a relatively unskilled vc aperatorto position the nozzle as desired by natural manipulation of control lever 53, so long as the azimuth axis is maintained generally vertical or the elevationaxismaintained generally horizontal. In essence, a predetermined attitude of platform 2 must be maintained with respect to the operators normal reference ofhorizontal and vertical during swinging of the boom 3 through various vertical angles which would otherwise change such attitudes.

In the specific apparatus herein described such reference is maintained by supporting platform 2 upon swing able suspension member 17 (FIG. 2). Member 17 may be a generally U-shaped tubular member having platform 2 secured to its central portion 79 and with the outer ends ofits upwardly extending legs S0, 81 rotatably connected to the outer ends of yoke 16. One of said legs 80 may be so connected by a conventional self-aligning bearing 82 whereas the other of said legs 81 is so connected by a rotatable connector 83 which includes a brake means, to be described.

Suspension member 17 and platform 2, including nozzle 1, are supported with the center of gravity thereof -below the aligned, generally horizontal axes of bearing 82 and connector 83. By such mounting no matter what the vertical angle of boom 3 and yoke 16, platform 14 and the elevation axis about which nozzle 1 rotates will be maintained generally horizontal by gravity in the manner of a pendulum. Such pendulum action of platform 2 about the horizontal axis of bearing 82 and connector S3 will automatically maintain the platform attitude related to the normal reference of the operator.

Connector 83 (FIG. 5) is generally similar to connector 24 in that itincludes an inner sleeve member 84 lthe inner en d of which Vis journalled for rotation in a cylindrical outer sleeve or housing 35 having a peripheral iiange 8'6. Ball bearings S7 may be provided in grooved races in members v84` and 85 for free rotation thereof. A clamp S8 (FIGS. 2, 5) serves to secure sleeve 84 to the outer end of the arm of yoke 16 opposite bearing 82 with 'the axis offrotation of members 84, 85 aligned with the axis of said bearing. A pipe elbow threadedly 'received in the outer end -of sleeve 84 con nects said sleeve with conduit 11 for passage of the fluidto said sleeve from pump 1G (FIG. l). right angle pipe connection 90, having a flange 91 bolted to the ilange 86 of housing 85, is connected to the upper endof leg 8 (FIG. 2) thereby supporting suspension member V17 for swinging with housing S5 about the axis of fixed sleeve 84.

In the specic apparatus herein described, the portion of suspension member 17 between connector 83 and right angle tting 21 (FIG. 2) may form a conduit for conducting liquid to nozzle 1. Fluid under pressure from tanks 9 'and 'pump 10 is conducted through hose 6 111, rotatable' connector 83, suspension member 17, fitting 21', and thence through connectors 24 (FIG. 4) of platforms 14, 15 (FIG. 2), and pipe fitting 45 to nozzle 1. A conventional valve 92 (FIG. 1) is preferably provided in conduit 1'1' for'cont'rolling' the flow of fluid from tanks 9 to nozzle 1.

Such valve may be of the solenoid actuated type and is peferably opened and closed by a control button 93 (FIGS. 6, 8) provided on the control knob 94 of lever 53. The control cable 95 (FIG. l) which includesv the wires serving to connect the signaling devices of control unit 52 to the appropriate comparing and amplifying means 54, 57 (FIG. 6) may also' serve to connect control button 93 to tbesolenoid actuator for valve 92, as by a branch cable96 (FIG. l).

The issuance of lluid under pressure from nozzle 1 creates a substantial reaction forcek tending to swing platform 2 about its suspension axis of bearing 82 and connector 83 (FIG. 2). In order to prevent such swinging and to maintain platform 2 stable in its predetermined attitude during the spraying of fluid by nozzle 1, pressure responsive braking means is incorporated in connector 83 (FIG. 5). At its inner anged end, adjacent housing 85, pipe connection 90 is provided with an enlarged recess 96 of larger diameter than the inside of sleeve 84. A ring seal 97 of tough, flexible packing material such as nylon or Teflon, secured between flanges 86 and 81 has an inwardly projecting lip portion 98 extending into recess 9 6 and across vthe inner end surface of sleeve 84. Said lip portion is held against the inner end of sleeve 84 by a backing ring 99 and a plurality of coil springs 1Gb, abutting the bottom of recess 96, with sufficient pressure to render the joint fluid tight but permit a free rotation of connection 90 and housing 85 with respect to sleeve34:

When valve 92 (FIG. l) is shut off and no substantial fluid pressure exists in the conduit means from tank 9 t0 supply nozzle 1, including the passage through rotatable connector 83, suspension member 17 carrying platform 2 is f'ree to swing and to be maintained by gravity at its normal attitude with reference to the horizontal. Under su'chconditions, of course, there is no jet reaction from nozzle 1. After the nozzle has been aimed at the target to be sprayed (such as the insulator in FIG. l) as here- Y inbefore described, and valve 92 opened by depressing button 93 (FIG. 8), uid under pressure will be transmitted to said nozzle through the uid passages described. Such pressure in the fluid passage through sleeve 84 and pipe connection 90 effects a braking action on rotatable connector 83 preventing relative rotation between housing and sleeve S4 (FIG. 5).

Ihe fluid pressure in recess 96 forces backing ring 99 and lip portion 98 of seal 97 into tight frictional engageyment with the inner end of sleeve 84 thereby preventing movement between said inner sleeve and said seal which is secured to housing 85. It Vwill be noted that the braking force thereby applied to prevent rotation o'f connector 83 and swinging of suspension member 17' by the influence of the vjet reaction of nozzle 1 is proportional to the force of such jet reaction, since both forces are 'proportional to the uid pressure. The ygreater the j'et reaction, therefore, Vthe greater the braking action of lip portion 9S 'of seal 97 responsive to the lpressure 'to Vlock member 17 against swinging.

It will be apparent that pressure responsive diaphragms, sleeves vand the like may be alternatively employed in rotatable connection l83 for the purpose of lsecuring 'suspension means17 against swinging from its proper orientation. By employing similar rotatable connectors '24 (FIG. 4) in decks 14, 15, similar pressure responsive braking means are provided for preventing movement of nozzle 1 in azimuth and elevationduring:spraying with said nozzle. Pressure responsive braking means, such as herein described, is preferred for use with apparatus wheren the device being controlled and aimed is a fluid` nozzle because the braking action is effected automatically upon transmission of the fluid under pressure to the nozzle. In apparatus wherein other devices are supported and aimed as herein described, other mechanical or electrical brakes may be employed as will appear advantageous to those skilled in the art.

It will also benoted that by combining the Valve coritrol button 93 with lever 5'3 of control unit 52, all functions of the apparatus, including aiming the nozzle, turning the spray on and otf, and actuating the braking action for platform suspension means i7, may be controlled from a single control station by one operator.

Although not a part of this invention, it will be obvious that conventional pulley takeup means may be provided in association with the extendable boorn 3 (FIG. 1) for taking up the slack in the electrical cable 95 that extends along said boom as well as for hose 11. Although the in vention has been described and illustrated, in detail, various modifications that would occur as obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to come within the spirit and scope of the invention as dened by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In spraying apparatus including a spray nozzle and a swingable boom, the combination comprising: rotatable means supporting said nozzle for rotation about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, driving means connected to said nozzle for so rotating said nozzle about said axes, manual control means remote from said nozzle and connected to said driving means for aiming said nozzle, and means supporting said rotatable means and said nozzle at the outer end of said boom and maintaining one of said axes generally horizontal during swinging of said boom.

2. In spraying apparatus including a spray nozzle and a swingable boom, the combination comprising: rotatable means supporting said nozzle for rotation about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, driving means connected to said nozzle for so rotating said nozzle about said axes, manual control means remote from said nozzle and connected to said driving means for aiming said nozzle, and swingable suspension means supporting said rotatable means and said nozzle at the outer end of said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis above the center of gravity of said rotatable means and said nozzle for maintaining one of said perpendicular axes generally horizontal during swinging of said boom.

3. In spraying apparatus including a spray nozzle and a swingable boom, the combination comprising: rotatable means supporting said nozzle for rotation about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, driving means connected to said nozzle for so rotating said nozzle about said axes, manual control means remote from said nozzle and connected to said driving means for aiming said nozzle, swingable suspension means supporting said rotatable means and said nozzle at the outer end of said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis above the center of gravity of said rotatable means and said nozzle for maintaining one of said perpendicular axes generally horizontal during swinging of said boom, and means for selectively securing said suspension means against said swinging.

4. In spraying apparatus including a spray nozzle and a swingable boom, the combination comprising: rotatable means supporting said nozzle for rotation about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, driving means connected to said nozzle for so rotating said nozzle about said axes, manual control means remote from said nozzle and connected to said driving means for aiming said nozzle, and swingable suspension means supporting said rotatable means and said nozzle at the outer end of said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis above the center of gravity of said rotatable means and said nozzle for maintaining one of said perpendicular axes generally horizontal during swinging of said boom, said suspension means including a passage for transmission of fluid under pressure to said nozzle and means responsive to fluid pressure in said passage for securing said suspension means against swinging thereof.

5. in spraying apparatus including a vehicle supported, swingable and extendable boom and a spray nozzle, the combination comprising; a platform including an azimuth deck and an elevation deck respectively Supporting said nozzle for rotation with respect to said platform about a iirst axis and a second axis normal thereto, driving means carried by said decks for so rotating said nozzle, suspension means supporting said platform at the outer end of said boom, a rotatable connector connecting said suspension means to said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis parallel to said second axis and with the center of gravity of said platform below said horizontal axis, and control means remote from said platform, said driving means being responsive to said control means for aiming said nozzle.

6. En spraying apparatus including a vehicle supported, swingable and extendable boom and a spray nozzle, the combination comprising: a platform including an azimuth deck and an elevation deck respectively supporting said nozzle for rotation with respect to said platform about a rst axis and a second axis normal thereto, driving means carried by said decks for so rotating said nozzle, suspension means supporting said platform at the outer end of said boom, a rotatable connector connecting said suspension means to said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis parallel to said second axis and with the center of gravity of said platform below said horizontal axis, and control means remote from said platform, said driving means being responsive to said control means for aiming said nozzle, said connector including a passage communicating with said nozzle for conducting fluid under pressure thereto and brake means operable by fluid pressure in said passage to resist rotation of said connector.

7, ln spraying apparatus including a vehicle supported, swingable and extendable boom and a spray nozzle, the combination comprising: a platform including an azimuth deck and an elevation deck respectively supporting said nozzle for rotation with respect to said platform about a first axis and a second axis normal thereto, driving means carried by said decks for so rotating said nozzle, suspension means supporting said platform at the outer end of said boom, a rotatable connector connecting said suspension means to said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis parallel to said second axis and with the center of gravity of said platform below said horizontal axis, control means remote from said platform, said driving means being responsive to said control means for aiming said nozzle, said connector including a passage communicating with said nozzle for conducting nuid under pressure thereto and brake means operable by iiuid pressure in said passage to resist rotation of said connector, a source of uid under pressure, conduit means connecting said passage with said source, a valve in said conduit, and said control means including a valve operator.

8. In spraying apparatus including a vehicle supported, swingable and extendable boom and a spray nozzle, the combination comprising: a platform including an azimuth deck and an elevation deck respectively supporting said nozzle for rotation with respect to said platform about a rst axis and a second axis normal thereto, driving means carried by said decks for so rotating said nozzle, suspension means .supporting said platform at the outer end of said boom, a rotatable connector connecting said suspension means to said boom for swinging about a generally horizontal axis parallel to said second axis and with the center of gravity of said platform below said horizontal axis, control means remote from said platform, said driving means being responsive to said control means for aiming said nozzle, said control means including a pair of signaling devices, the driving means of each of 9 said decks being respectively responsive to one of said signaling devices, a control lever mounting means carrying said lever and one of said signaling devices operatively connected to said lever and supporting said lever for swinging in a irst plane for operating said one signaling device, and means operatively connecting said lever to the other of said signaling devices and supporting said mounting means for swinging in a second plane normal to said first plane for operating said other signaling device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Boyce Feb. 17, 1914 Anania Dec. 8, 1931 Robinson Apr. 22, 1952 Harsch Mar. 26, 1957 Becker May 13, 1958 

1. IN SPRAYING APPARATUS INCLUDING A SPRAY NOZZLE AND A SWINGABLE BOOM, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: ROTATABLE MEANS SUPPORTING SAID NOZZLE FOR ROTATION ABOUT A PAIR OF MUTUALLY PERPENDICULAR AXES, DRIVING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID NOZZLE FOR SO ROTATING SAID NOZZLE ABOUT SAID AXES, MANUAL CONTROL MEANS REMOTE FROM SAID NOZZLE AND CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVING MEANS FOR AIMING SAID NOZZLE, AND MEANS SUPPORTING SAID ROTATABLE MEANS AND SAID NOZZLE AT THE OUTER END OF SAID BOOM AND MAINTAINING ONE OF 